Servicemen and women paid their respects to the Queen as she became Britain’s longest reigning monarch today.

A toast was made to Queen Elizabeth II who has now ruled for more than 63 years and 216 days, passing the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.

Langford Smith with his Coronation Medal

The toast was given at the Senior Stop café near Peterborough City Market and included a full rendition of the national anthem ‘God Save the Queen’.

The service drew around 40 men and women to the café, as well as the Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor John Peach, and the mayoress Janet Martin.

The short service began at exactly 4pm and included Cllr Peach making a toast to the Queen.

One of the attendees was Langford Smith who received the Coronation Medal during the Queen’s reign.

Langford, who was wearing his traditional bow tie and had medals pinned to his jacket for the occasion, said: “It’s been a very good function. The room has been absolutely packed with people.”

Tributes have been paid across the country to the Queen in recognition of her long service as the monarch.

Responding to the kind words, Her Majesty said: “Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones - my own is no exception - but I thank you all and the many others at home and overseas for your touching messages of great kindness.”

The Queen was born at 17 Bruton St, London W1 on the April 21, 1926.

At around 5.30pm today she had reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and 30 minutes.

Twelve prime ministers have served under the Queen, the first being Winston Churchill.